Architects HOK Sport Venue Event has been selected to design a new $410m (£275.8m, €301.5m) domed-arena in Birmingham, Alabama, US.

The project, to be built adjacent to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), is led by BJCC Board of Authority in collaboration with the City of Birmingham. HOK, a Kansas-based firm, which also designed London's 2012 Olympic stadium, has been working with BJCC on the project for 12 years before being selected through a design competition. The 57,500-seat multi-purpose venue will be able to host a range of sporting events and concerts, and will be able to expand to accommodate 65,000 seats. A 160,000sq ft floor space will also be used for conventions and trade shows.

A BJCC spokesperson said: "The new facility will improve the BJCC’s competitive edge by providing capacity and suite availability demanded by major entertainment and sporting events and allowing the complex to house trade shows and conventions simultaneously." Dennis Wellner, senior principal at HOK Sport Venue Event, said: "We knew the city and this project unlike any other firm, so we're very excited to continue the design process."

"The facility will serve as an anchor for an entertainment district to promote Birmingham and the region." The arena is expected to open in 2012. HOK Sport officially separated from its parent company HOK on 1 January 2009 after 25-years. The firm will retain the HOK name for up to two years, but it is understood the firm intends to rebrand and rename itself by the end of 2009.

HOK's chief executive, Patrick MacLeamy, said: "Both practices are enjoying the strongest financial and operational positions in their history. This strategic step will facilitate the continued growth and leadership of both HOK and HOK Sport within their respective markets."